Sunday, 2 April 2017

Johanna Konta triumphs in Miami

Johanna Konta has won the Miami Open, her first Premier Mandatory tournament success and biggest win of her career.

She was too strong in the end for Caroline Wozniacki, who despite a higher than usual unforced error count, still remained in contention for most of the match.

Konta set the pattern in the opening game, breaking the Danish serve, but Wozniacki struck back in the third game and then levelled at 2-2.

Another exchange of breaks and it was 4-4, but then Wozniacki threw in a pair of double faults at the worst possible time to gift Konta the ninth game.

Serving for the set, Konta found herself in trouble at 15-40 but the break points were saved thanks to solid deliveries. Wozniacki couldn't hold back any longer and Konta led 6-4.

Second set nerves were displayed with Wozniacki saving four break points before surrendering serve in the opening game, just as she had in the first set.

Konta donated the break back immediately and at this point no one appeared ready to take command of proceedings.

Wozniacki held serve to love, including her first ace of the match, but called for a trainer at the change of ends, her ankle the cause for concern.

Konta held for 2-2 and Wozniacki seemed to be moving without any problem from her strapped ankle.

The seventh game was the killer for Wozniacki as she played poorly to be down 0-40. Although she fought hard to save a couple of the break points, Konta was determined not to let this opportunity slip and converted for 4-3.

After holding serve to lead 5-3, Konta played a perfect returning game and on match point pulled out a superb lob which landed spot on the baseline giving Wozniacki no chance.

Johanna Konta won 6-4 6-3, but was made to work by a persistent Caroline Wozniacki who graciously admitted she was outplayed.

Two titles in 2017 for Konta now, following Sydney in January, earning her a career high ranking of seven.

Wozniacki has lost a third final in 2017, adding to Doha and Dubai, but surely will be victorious soon given her consistent runs to the final stages of tournaments. Caroline moves up another two spots to number twelve in the world.